Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh
on Sunday renewed her government's pledge for 'a special package' to face the
challenges in the wake of global recession in Bangladesh.

At a meeting with the leaders of the Federation
of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, she, however, suggested
diversifications of products and markets to cope with the situation.

The Prime Minister said that the government was
closely watching the global market developments and that they would provide all possible supports to continue
exports and local productions. A 41-member FBCCI delegation,
led by its president Annisul Huq, spent almost two hours at her office,
discussing the latest economic situation at home and abroad.

Emerging out of the meeting, Annisul Huq
said they had demanded a Tk 6,000-crore rescue package to support the
recession-effected businesses.

The FBCCI demanded at least one year moratorium
on payment of bank loans for the recession-hit industries, especially the
spinning, garment and jute and leather manufacturing units.
The federation leaders suggested that the prime minister
should take up immediate visits to some foreign countries to explore and expand
job markets for the Bangladeshi workers.

The apex trade body wanted the government to
prevent goons who disrupt tender process in different government procurements.
Improvement of energy supply situation by extraction of
coals, formation of a national food council and reinstating Sunday as the
single-day weekly holiday were among the FBCCI demands.

The PM has recognized the need for supporting
businesses in this period and she has assured us of all possible helps from the
government,' Annis said.

The prime minister's press secretary, Abul
kalam Azad, conveyed the PM's gratitude to traders who had recently helped
lowering the prices of certain essentials, including the edible oil.

The press secretary said the PM had asked the
exporters to diversify markets and products and suggested manpower exporters to
search for new labour markets.
Informing the business leaders of the government's plan to
establish special economic zones in the underdeveloped regions of the country,
the PM also urged them to invest more in captive power generation.
While business leaders thanked the PM for securing a peaceful
solution to BDR rebellion, the PM, according to the meeting sources, said,
'Such incident really hurts trade and investment prospects.'